This post will focus on the many health benefits of using thyme in your cooking. We’ll look at how adding this fragrant herb to your recipes can help to boost the flavor of a dish, as well as its many health benefits. We’ll discuss why the herb is high in antioxidants, how it can help to reduce inflammation and boost the immune system. Finally, we’ll look at a few recipes that you can make with thyme, so that you can get the most out of this amazing herb.
Thyme in India
This is the best herb we have for stimulating the thymus, a major gland of the immune system. Thyme works on just about any respiratory infection, viral or bacterial. It is excellent for calming a cough and is effective against whooping cough, bronchitis, and any sore throat. The herb also helps stimulate the body’s natural defenses and, combined with echinacea, boosts the immune system. There are some 350 species of thyme. But Garden (common) thyme, Caraway (seedcake), Cone head, Spanish, Lemon, Broad-leafed, Winter-flowering, Azores (orange peel), Mother of thyme, Woolly thyme are commonly used in medicinal aspect.
- Scientific Binomial: Thymus vulgaris
- Common English: Mother-of-thyme / Wild Thyme
- Ayurvedic: Ajagandhaa / VanaYavaani
- Unani: Haashaa / Jangali Pudinaa
- Sanskrit
- Hindi / Urdu
- Bengali
- Marathi
- Telugu
- Tamil
- Gujarati
- Kannada
- Malayalam
- Oriya
- Punjabi / Sindhi
- Assamese
- Kashmiri
- Konkani
- Manipuri
- Dogri
- Bhojpuri
Home Remedies
Thyme is best Antiseptic, antispasmodic, antibacterial, astringent, tonic, antifungal, analgesic, antiviral, mild sedative. Thymol is expectorant and antiseptic. Thymol and carvacrol are spasmolytic. Thymol is also works as urinary tract antiseptic and anthelmintic. In many countries it is used for bronchitis, whooping cough, catarrhs of the upper respiratory tracts and to treat stomatitis (ESCOP). If it is hard to get fresh leaves try Capsules or syrup. Thyme extracts are available as capsules and syrups in a variety of doses and strengths. These products often combine thyme with other herbs thought useful for respiratory conditions; specific use depends on each product.
- Coughs and Colds: Thyme honey probably wouldn’t be considered the strongest remedy for coughs and colds, but it is one of the better tasting. Fill a widemouthed glass jar half full of fresh herb leaves and flowers. Gently warm a batch of raw, unpasteurized honey, so that it will better extract the properties of the thyme. Do not overheat as it will kill the honey’s enzymes and destroy its medicinal benefit. Add enough honey to the jar to cover the herbs, and place the jar in a warm spot. Let steep for approximately 2 weeks. Enjoy this delicious honey by itself, or use it to sweeten teas for additional medicinal benefits. For additional flavor, add 4 to 6 drops of pure essential lemon oil to each cup of thyme honey.
- Skin Care: Thyme extract has been used topically for infection control in minor wounds. The herb’s antimicrobial and astringent activity provides a theoretical basis for this use. Traditionally, it has been used to aid in labor and delivery, promote menstruation and topically for warts and inflamed swellings. It has also been used to treat enuresis in children. Other than this it is useful for diarrhoea, gastritis and dyspepsia.
Various Methods To Use Thyme
There are other myths related to this herb such as – Wear Thyme around your neck to attract love or place some leaves under your pillow to ensure you of a peaceful night’s sleep and help you access information in your dreams. The ancient Etruscans and Egyptians used essential oil made from this herb for embalming their dead. Many early cultures associated this herb with death, and the minute, pale purple flowers were thought to provide a resting place for the souls of those who had died. The ancient Greeks burned thyme as part of funeral rites, as incense in temples, and as a fumigant to chase insects from houses. But they also believed that the herb had the power to instill courage.
Cooking
It is really easy to add this herb in everyday cooking. Thyme is traditionally bundled together with parsley and bay leaf. Try recipes such as stews, soups, dressings, French bouquet garni, sauces, gravies, pickles, vegetables, etc. But remember thyme should not be placed with the food until about an hour before the cooking is finished as the benefits of this herb would rapidly diminish when cooked with the food. Also try arranging on an appetizer platter with sprigs of fresh herb.
Essential Oil
Thyme oil is extracted from the leaves and flowers of the thyme plant. It has a strong, herbaceous aroma and is used in aromatherapy, as a natural antiseptic, and to treat a variety of health problems. It can be used to treat coughs, colds, and other respiratory issues, to improve digestion, and to promote relaxation and reduce stress. It may also be used as an insect repellent. The essential oil distilled from thyme may be one of the most potent antimicrobial essential oils, if not the most potent. It can easily be added to healing salves and used to prevent infection in cuts and scrapes.
Leaves Tea
It is easy to make this herbal tea. Just steep 1 to 2 teaspoons fresh or dried leaves and flowers in 1 cup hot water. Drink 3 times daily. Thyme is a wonderful cleansing tonic for the body. Before you do any ceremony or when you want to invite positive change into your life, drink a cup of your favorite tea and add a pinch of thyme into your cup before you brew it. It is believed that adding a tea made from this herb to your bathwater will help you release the past and fill you with a sense of peace and love. It will also increase your willpower and give you the courage to do anything.
Side Effects
No known warnings or drug interactions, but best not used internally in pregnancy except as a food spice. Do not ingest thyme oil. According to some, thyme essential oil is hot in nature and can cause great irritation to the skin, especially sensitive skin. It is not a great choice for use in a diffuser with a child, as it can be more of an irritant than a help. Stomach upsets are rare.
FAQs.
Q. What is thyme tea good for?
Thyme tea is a popular herbal tea with many potential health benefits. It is known to help support respiratory health, improve digestion, reduce stress, promote healthy skin and hair, boost the immune system, and even help with weight loss. It may also be beneficial in fighting infections and helping to manage inflammation. While more research is needed to confirm these potential benefits, some studies suggest that drinking thyme tea can help protect against illnesses and improve overall health.
Q. How to make thyme tea?
This tea is a delicious and nutritious herbal tea made with dried leaves. It has a subtle, earthy taste that is both calming and invigorating. This tea is packed with antioxidants and other health benefits, making it a great choice for those looking to improve their overall wellbeing.
- Begin by bringing 4 cups of water to a boil in a medium-sized pot.
- Once the water is boiling, reduce the heat to low and add 2 tablespoons of fresh thyme.
- Cover the pot and let the herbs steep in the hot water for 8 to 10 minutes.
- Strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve and discard the herbs.
- Pour the tea into mugs and add honey and/or lemon to taste. Enjoy!